“Microsoft Interactive Classroom” - Think “real-time instructor-student interaction and note taking with PowerPoint and OneNote” (Oh yeah, it’s free too)

Microsoft Downloads - Microsoft Interactive Classroom

“With Microsoft Interactive Classroom, students participate like never before while staying up-to-speed on instructor notes. It gives educators the power to add in-class polling and to share lessons over a wireless network. If a teacher updates a presentation, students capture the notes in real-time via Microsoft OneNote.

Version:	2
Date Published:	8/13/2010
Language:	English
Download Size:	78 KB - 7.2 MB*

Microsoft Interactive Classroom helps interaction and collaboration between educators and students by enabling the creation of classroom polls using PowerPoint, and sharing content with students using OneNote. Educators can insert a multiple choice, yes/no, or true/false polling questions to lessons using PowerPoint. Students who have laptops running Microsoft Windows and OneNote receive the polling questions and teacher annotations in real-time within their OneNote Notebook. In addition, students can add their own notes to the slides using the features provided in OneNote. They can also respond in real-time to the questions during the lesson. Students without laptops can participate in polls using hardware clickers. This gives educators real time feedback on how well their students are grasping their lessons.

…”

When I see these I think about how cool it would be to use these in the billions of meetings we have, in the in-house training, in the “all hands” presentations, etc, etc.

There’s even an optional SDK included in the Setup (SDK’s & API’s make Greg a happy guy ;)

 

Related Past Post XRef:
OneNote, the Cloud and Training Materials… Using OneNote Web to provide cool training material access (to, in this case, Windows Phone 7 Jump Start materials)…

Microsoft Learning Content Development System (LCDS) v2.5 Released (Think x64 & SilverLight 4 Release)
Microsoft Learning Content Development System (LCDS) v2.4 Released
Microsoft Semblio – A set of tools for educators to create rich interactive content/training, with extensibility via SDK, .Net and WPF (SDK free available today, rest coming soon)

Silverlight + Azure + XNA + Windows Phone 7 = Thousands of ideas…

Coding4Fun - WP7 Level Editor!

“

David Rousset created a 4 part write up on explaining a demo built around Silverlight 4, Windows Azure and XNA on Windows Phone 7:

• Showing the final result in action as well as the SL4 application to play with
  Silverlight 4 XNA Platformer Level Editor for Windows Phone 7: overview (1/4)
• Details on the SL4 app and the source code of the SL app to download
  SL4 XNA Platformer Level Editor for WP7: details on the Silverlight App (2/4)
• Details on the Windows Azure storage
  SL4 XNA Platformer Level Editor for WP7: Azure storage (3/4)
• How I’ve modified the XNA Platformer game and the source code of the game to download
  SL4 XNA Platformer Level Editor for WP7: the XNA game (4/4)

For those interested in creating a level based game, this could be a great starting point.

…”

It’s seeing stuff like this that has me excited about the future of Windows Phone 7 development. Sure out the gate it’s way behind other smart phone OS’s, but the juggernaut that is Microsoft with it’s huge portfolio of services, platforms, applications, experience and level of developer support could mean that when the WP7 balling starts rolling it will snowball.

Or it could mean that Microsoft gets in its own way and its own size is the downfall of WP7. (Oh no!!! It’s Micro’zilla!… :P  )

 

Now what I’s like to see is the new XNA4 works on XBox. i.e. can this be done there? Have my XBox talk to Azure/WP7?

Here’s my WP7/Xbox/Windows game idea.  I want the shared/public game to run on the Xbox  and all the players have “private” terminals/views on their WP7 and/or Windows 7 notebooks.

Think Poker.

The XBox (i.e. big, shared screen) shows the table and all the stuff that’s visible to all.

Everyone’s WP7/Windows7 screen shows their hole cards and only their cards, and is their interface to the game. When it’s their turn they bet with it, etc. Think turning their WP7 into a touch game controller…

And now add in a third, “Wide World of Poker” view for people not playing, say in Silverlight on the Web, that shows BOTH the Shared/Table view and then the Private/Hole card view as it’s each person’s turn.

Assuming that XBox with XNA4 could talk to Azure/web services, this scenario might actually be do’able…? hum…

 

I’m up for a new phone & contract in just a couple months. If Verizon gets reasonable WP7 hardware in October then I’m going to bet on WP7 with my wallet. (Reasonable hardware in my mind is at least as much local, DRM supported storage as my 32gb Zune HD + Droid 2’ish like hardware spec’s… Can you guess at what phone I’m going to get if I don’t get a WP7? ;)

Goodbye Windows Live Writer - To its Gallery as the first step…but next?

<rant alert> This post is a rant. I’m going to bitch, moan, groan and whine about something that upsets me. It’s not meant to start any flame wars, battles or anything like that. I just feel the need to vent and since this is my blog… ;)  </rant alert>

Windows Live Writer (WLW) has a huge following as one of the best blog writing tools around. But recent versions has had people, including myself, wondering at its future. The Wave 4 (aka Windows Live Essentials 2011 version) feature set is anemic, at best. We get the ribbon and a change in the shortcut keys. That feels like about it. And from my seat, worse there’s nothing for developers.

Now the Writer Gallery is being killed.

The WLW plug-ins are one of the main draws, one of the major reasons WLW is so darn good. As the iPhone has taught us, it’s the app’s, stupid. In WLW’s case, it’s the plug ins, stupid! Now the Gallery as we knew it is being replaced with the below process;

Dear Windows Live Writer plug-in authors,

On behalf of the Windows Live Writer team and all of our customers, thank you for the valuable contributions your plug-ins have made to the Writer experience.

We’re writing to let you know that Writer’s plug-in hosting and submission processes are changing.  Note: Existing plug-ins currently hosted on Windows Live Gallery will need to be resubmitted using the new process outlined below.  In the future, should you wish to provide additional plug-ins for Writer, we request that you also submit your plug-ins using this process.

We hope that you find the new plug-in submission process and hosting solution simple and lightweight.

New plug-in submission process:

1.       Author uploads plug-in MSI installer to Windows Live SkyDrive using his/her Windows Live ID (email address).

2.       Author emails wleplugins@microsoft.com (Windows Live Essentials Plug-ins) including the following information:

·         Author name

·         Author Windows Live ID (that will host the plug-in MSI)

·         Author contact email address

·         Plug-in name

·         Plug-in description

·         Plug-in category (pick only one):

·   Formatting/clipboard

·   Post publishing

·   Pictures

·   Buttons

·   Other content

·   Miscellaneous

·         URL to plug-in MSI on SkyDrive

3.       Writer team verifies that the plug-in works as described.

4.       Writer team updates public list of Writer plug-ins that will include information on the plug-in and a link to the installer that is hosted on the author’s SkyDrive.

5.       Writer team notifies plug-in author that plug-in has been listed.

We value your efforts and want to ensure that your plug-ins will continue to be accessible for the many people interested in them.  In order to do this, we need you to resubmit any existing plug-ins on Windows Live Gallery using this new process by September 10, 2010. You will be able to add more plug-ins after this date, but we need you to move existing plug-ins by then.

Please email us with any questions or concerns about the new plug-in submission process at wleplugins@microsoft.com. Other support requests should be directed to the Windows Live Solution Center.

Thanks,

The Windows Live Writer Team

Are you kidding me? We have to self-host our plug ins (gee, talk about future link management, breaking, “department of what could go wrong” etc, issues)? The submission process is email based? The Gallery, with it’s review, stats, searching, etc, is being replaced with some kind of “public list”? Wow, welcome to the 90’s

Come on, I hate to say this, but this is lame. If this were from a single person or small company, then sure, this might be okay. But from Microsoft I really expect much more. The funny thing is the Gallery killed a number of WLW Plug-in listing sites. Now this move takes us back a half decade…

As a developer of a top 20 WLW plugin, Text Template, (okay, so it only has 8k downloads, but still it’s in the top 20! :) I do not see this as any kind of improvement. At this point I don’t see any benefits to WLW users or developers. Am I going to resubmit my free plugin? I really doubt it.

VS2010’s Extension Manager and VSIX is the model to beat. THAT would help everyone. That would seriously rock. This? meh…

 

Given the lack of real love being given to WLW and now this move… I truly wonder at the long term life span for WLW. Unless I hear good news soon, I believe it’s time to add WLW to the Death Watch List.  And that really makes me kind of sad…

“PowerShell for .NET Developers with Doug Finke (Level 200)” Webcast

geekSpeak - MSDN Webcast: geekSpeak: PowerShell for .NET Developers with Doug Finke (Level 200)

“In this episode of geekSpeak, Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Doug Finke takes us on a deep dive into PowerShell from a developer's point of view. Doug shows techniques for integrating/debugging PowerShell from and to C# code as well as using PowerShell with a Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) application. He also addresses using reflection at the command line, object pipelining, and PowerShell's REPL. This geekSpeak is hosted by Glen Gordon and Rachel Appel.

The geekSpeak webcast series brings you industry experts in a "talk-radio" format hosted by developer evangelists from Microsoft. These experts share their knowledge and experience about a particular developer technology and are ready to answer your questions in real time during the webcast.

…

Language(s): English.

Product(s): Microsoft .NET Framework 4.

Audience(s):  Pro Dev/Programmer.

Duration: 60 Minutes

Start Date: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)

…”

I’m a developer and I don’t use PowerShell enough (cough… hardly at all… cough).

This needs to change. I know, I know, I’ve only been saying this for HOW long? Still everyday is another day and another chance to… well… start using PowerShell!  ;)

Doug (blog, Development in a Blink) does some very cool stuff with PowerShell and for him, I can easily block off an hour to catch him chatting about it.

 

Related Past Post XRef:
Some T-SQL, XML, DGML and Visual Studio 2010 and you get a very cool SQL Server Dependency Graph
NodeXL, PowerShell and building a visual SQL Dependency Graph
PS for your VS – PowerConsole a PowerShell console for VS 2010
PowerShell your PDC
Straight from the Windows 7 Resource Kit, PowerShellPack Released - 1.97 billion… (okay 600+, but that’s still allot) of PowerShell scripts to help you “think PowerShell”\
Want to try PowerShell? Then “Try PowerShell”
Easily add files to Vista’s and Win7’s Preview pane with the free PreviewConfig utility
Getting hit by a Peanut Butter… um… Recall – Seeing the product relationship data via NetMap (NodeXL) and PowerShell

ED Data Express - U.S. Department of Education makes their data, more importantly turned into “information” for you, just a few easy clicks away.

ED Data Express

“This Web site will help you view some of the important data that the U.S. Department of Education collects from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Please visit the About page for important background information on the data contained on this site before starting to explore the data.

…”

ED Data Express - About

“Purpose of ED Data Express

ED Data Express is a Web site designed to improve the public's ability to access and explore high-value state-level education data collected by the U.S. Department of Education. The site is designed to be interactive and to present the data in a clear, easy-to-use manner, with options to download information into Excel or manipulate the data within the Web site. The site currently includes data from EDFacts, Consolidated State Performance Reports (CSPR), State Accountability Workbooks, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), the College Board, and the Department's Budget Service office. For more information about these topics, please see the following: CSPR (1); EDFacts (2); Accountability Workbooks (3); NCES/CCD (4); NAEP (5); College Board (6); Budget Services (7)

Using the Site

ED Data Express includes three tools that allow users to access and view the data: a State Snapshots page, a Data Element Explorer, and a Build a State Table page. The State Snapshot pages include charts and tables with key data for each state. The Data Element Explorer allows users to view a single element across all states, both graphically and in a table. The Build a State Table page allows users to build customized tables by selecting specific data elements and specific states. Clicking on the number or question mark symbol next to a data element in any of these tools will open a footnote for that data element. In addition to the data viewing tools, the Web site includes links to additional resources, data definitions, and frequently asked questions, all of which provide important context for users. For more detail about how to use each tool, please see the following: State Snapshots (8); Data Element Explorer (9); State Tables (10); Footnotes (11); Other Site Contents (12)

…”

It’s pretty cool seeing how they have made all this data so readily available and easy to view in report form. Raw data is one thing, but they’ve taken that extra step and helped turn all this data into “information.”

Here’s an example result;

You can’t see it here, but every report also has a “Download report as Excel file” at the top.

Now all I wish is that the data was available via an API, like oData.  :p

(via beSpacific - New Website Makes Education Data Easier to Find and Use)

“We are from Corp IT and we’re here to help…” Seven tips on how to avoid being THAT Architect

Lessons of Failure - How to Avoid Being the Asshole Architect

“Recently, I was the happy recipient of some very condescending “advice” from the architecture group of a client.  The tone, quality and delivery of the information completely overwhelmed the actual message (some of which was actually relevant, and some was off in left field).  This pleasant experience reminding me why the term “software architect” has come to be synonymous in some circles with “arrogant jerk who forgot what it’s like to code on a real project”.

I realized that I’ve had that exact same attitude at times and it just didn’t pay off at all.  My message was probably lost in the same manner I discarded this guy’s advice in favor of sticking it to The Man and doing whatever I was going to do anyway.

All of this is counterproductive in any development project.  Reflecting on the situation a bit more, I realized that there are a handful of key points that all software architects ought to remember.  Dispelling the “Ivory Tower” mentality can’t be anything but positive for everyone involved.  With that in mind, I bring you the

Five Minute Guide to Avoid Being the Asshole Architect (FMGTABAA):

…

…”

If you’re an application/dev/etc architect here’s something to think about… Are you THAT guy or gal?

I like the first point. If you don’t feel the user’s pain, if you’re not sitting in their seats, walking in their shoes, etc, etc, then be carefully telling them what they need. You SHOULD help them think through a problem, work with them to find the root issue, look beyond their initial requests to find possible real issues, i.e. really fix this issue not just do what they say. Yet don’t cross the line where you think you’re smarting than them, that they don’t “understand” and force something down their throats because you “know better.” [LOL… wow, touched a nerve there, didn’t it? ]

(via nPlus1 - How to Avoid Being the Asshole Architect)